5 NFL teams due for regression in 2020
These NFL teams could be in for a tough ride come the start of the season. Be it the Patriots missing Brady, or the Ravens bouncing back.
5. New England Patriots
The Patriots have a much better chance to stave off regression with Cam Newton over Jarrett Stidham, but it’s likely coming nonetheless. New England went 12-4 last season but was falling apart down the stretch, going 4-4 over their final eight games before losing in the Wild Card round to the Tennessee Titans.
Newton’s health is critical to the Patriots’ chances of holding onto the AFC East crown, something which has undisputedly theirs for the last two decades.
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4. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore is going to be a top team again, but going 14-2 and having home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs could be a tall order. The Ravens should be fantastic once more, led by NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson and a defense which added veterans Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe on the defensive line, and rookie linebacker Patrick Queen.
Still, Jackson isn’t going to account for 46 touchdowns and more than 1,200 rushing yards again. Also, the Ravens were incredibly healthy last year. Typically, the NFL doesn’t allow for that two straight seasons.
3. San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Shanahan has work ahead. The 49ers went to the Super Bowl last year, working through the NFC’s gauntlet despite having middling quarterback play in Jimmy Garoppolo. If Garoppolo doesn’t take a major step, defenses are going to begin doubling tight end George Kittle without much fear of the deep ball, considering the loss of Emmanuel Sanders.
The other looming questions are the age of cornerback Richard Sherman and the loss of defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who was dealt to the Indianapolis Colts.
Read: Chargers Are Good Quarterback Play From Being Contender
2. Green Bay Packers
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst had an opportunity to add talent around quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but he decided to build for the future instead. The old saying is if you’re not improving, you’re getting worse. It’s tough to argue that logic considering it’s held up pretty well for the duration of mankind, and certainly throughout the NFL’s 100 years.
Green Bay is still a contender in the NFC, but the Packers are one Davante Adams injury from having no real threats on the outside. Not a great place to be in.
1. Houston Texans
This needs little explanation. Head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien traded away All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins while allowing star nose tackle D.J. Reader to leave in free agency. The additions of Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb will help, but the Texans have been trending downward for years, and the loss of Hopkins is the last move towards mediocrity.
